Share This Thread getting into setup and repair work Ken Richardson (5630) Building/Repair Forum 10/23/2009 10:06:34 AM · 16 Views [Respond to this Message] I am trying to break into doing setup and repair work on instruments. So far its frustrating. Everyone I talk to either wants someone who has done this work for 20 years, or they want you to do the work in 30 minutes for not much more than pocket change! Anyone on here doing this kind of work? I want to do it as a side job in the evenings. I would love to take classes in it, but working a day job and keeping bills paid pretty much kills that idea for now.

Responses

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/23/2009 4:25:00 PM Chris Pinto (22045) wrote: Typical nature of human beings....If it ain't free, I don't want it. Who knows, maybe it'll be a good idea? I sure wish I had a guy locally. I always have to drive over a half-hour just to get my guitars worked on. Chris

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/23/2009 5:01:22 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: Brother Chris, Whaz Up? I also believe it is trust. I personally don't let anybody work on my axes, to particular. But when I like somebodies work, it is worth it!

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/23/2009 5:14:37 PM Chris Pinto (22045) wrote: Yo Randy, Well, you're right....I agree. But, it's just human nature to want everything for free. LOL Man, if I hear "Is that the best price you can give me?" one more time, I'm gonna seriously go "postal" on someone. Chris

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/23/2009 5:45:37 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: Well is it Chris? Is it? LMAO.... You are absolutely correct. Have some fun bro. Find a stack of 2008 or 2009 calenders and put a sign out saying: Free - Take One. Now sit back and watch as people will take more than one and look around to make sure no one is watching. Remember it is 2008 or 2009....LMAO even more!!!

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/23/2009 9:03:52 PM Chris Pinto (22045) wrote: Yo Randy, You MUST HAVE came through my town last month! The local pharmacy was selling 2008 calendars....50% OFF! I was laughing so hard, I had to leave the store!!! Chris

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/24/2009 2:17:52 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: I wonder how many people bought them? Some would buy them for the pictures and then put it in the corner with the rest of the outdated calenders.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/4/2009 12:17:38 PM James Pierson (171) wrote: I think you got a lot of good advice so far. What we're talking about here is marketing your guitar-setup skills, which can be just as important as the skills themselves if you want to do it professionally. You can try a "loss-leader" approach, which means basically you do work for free on a few guitars so their happy owners will start the word going around about what good work you do. Don't wait for people to come to you -- Go where the players are (open mic events, for example) and introduce yourself, or even better, give out biz cards (the more professional you look, the better people respond). Did you do the setup on your own guitars? Invite potential customers to play them so they can feel and hear a good setup. Be prepared to start out on the low end in terms of what you can charge. It's after you have a track record of quality work and satisfied customers that you can command more $$$. In any case, good luck JIM

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/4/2009 3:40:02 PM Ken Richardson (5630) wrote: I had zero luck trying to get into this kind of work by talking to players at open jam sessions. I may get some work through Craigslist, and am starting out as the "budget shop" for guitar work

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/4/2009 4:15:22 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: It will take some bro. Remember, musicians are cheap. Most of them only need work done when it is broken. You may want to focus yourself on the smaller markets such as the mom and pop guitar lesson shops.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/23/2009 4:41:51 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: If you do great work, they will come. We have a guy back home in Hawaii that would have work on my instruments when I visited. I would carry my mistress on the plane that needed adjustments and leave it at the shop when I visited. Upon my departure, it would be ready for us to return to LA and she would play like a dream. As for the luthier, I knew the quality of work being performed so it was worth what he charges and he has a repeat customer. My best to you Ken in your start up endeavor.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 8:06:04 AM Ken Richardson (5630) wrote: Thanks Randy & Chris. Its that chicken or the egg thing... got to have experience to get the work... got to work to get experience.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 8:45:51 AM Michael Laurance (1846) wrote: My best advice? Pick up at least one book by Dan Erlewine. He is all things to setup and repair. He's got a new complete book, can't remember the name, but it goes about $30. Your local Borders or Barnes and Noble will have it.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 8:58:24 AM Ken Richardson (5630) wrote: I have Dan's book on Making Electric Guitars Play Great. Its decent. It has great info on vibrato/tremolo bridges in particular. I have Hideo Kamimoto's Complete Guitar Repair, which covers a lot of subjects on electrics and acoustics. I have an older book by an author named Sloan who did acoustics. I feel I have some skills, just not a salesman!

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 11:39:09 AM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: You know Ken that usually applies to anything in the line of work out there in the world. Sure people train others to do a task, but most trainees don't last long. You seem to have the passion to this which makes you go beyond trainee and to trainer. Start small and let the word of mouth spread like wildfire. Hopefully most of your jobs won't be locked to just changing strings on crappy guitars. It's a living but not challenging, well it is on crappy instruments.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 12:30:05 PM Ken Richardson (5630) wrote: I will try to get the word out about doing this work a bit more to see if I can get some bites. Oddly enough, I just recently saw a rough looking mandolin in a store for $1195. It was made by a local builder. The fit and finish was about like a $99 model. The bridge appeared to be of good quality and it played in tune. It played reasonably well, but I would be surprised if it sells at that price. I may try offering my service online somewhere to see if I can get some work going.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 2:42:06 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: Try your music stores such as Guitar Center. The big stores don't usually have people that do minimum repairs such as string changes. Do you have any sales people you know well? They can recommend you. I would also have some example of your work - pics, instruments to let people know your skill level. As for on-line, that's tough unless it is community based.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 3:57:54 PM Ken Richardson (5630) wrote: I know some of the staff at a couple stores, but they do a fair amount of the simple work at both stores, and have someone for the more complicated repairs. I am going to post on Craigslist in my area and see if it generates any business.

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 10/26/2009 4:37:32 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: You got the jest brother! Good luck man!

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/4/2009 9:57:30 PM Chris Pinto (22045) wrote: Yeah, just like credit cards....Can't get a credit card unless you have credit....Well, how can I get CREDIT without a credit card! LOL Chris

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/5/2009 10:19:12 AM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: I started by taking a loan at my local credit union. What's up brother Pinto?

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/5/2009 11:14:15 PM Chris Pinto (22045) wrote: Oh Man, let me tell ya'....I'm hurtin'. I'm outta work for a couple days. I fell down my stairs (in the basement), screwed up my back! Can't even move! So, I've been in bed since yesterday, taking a bunch of "Aleve" pills!! :) Chris

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/6/2009 1:05:30 AM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: My sentiments out to you bro for a quick speedy recovery! Hopefully you can still play that guitar of yours....

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/7/2009 12:00:55 PM Chris Pinto (22045) wrote: Man, I can't do NUTHIN' except lay here in bed! Chris

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/7/2009 10:34:38 PM Randy Hano (5374) wrote: That's a drag. You can't even hold the Carvin can you?

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/9/2009 3:45:07 PM Ken Richardson (5630) wrote: Hope you are well soon Chris! Ken

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/9/2009 11:27:24 AM Dale Lindsey (7695) wrote: Sorry to hear that, bro! I know how it feels and it SUCKS. For what it's worth, I find that Jim Beam works well for that, too! -Dale

• Respond to this Re: getting into setup and repair work 11/10/2009 1:26:06 PM Chris Pinto (22045) wrote: Jim Beam WITH a Vicodin CHASER! LOL Chris

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